Risks of Test Automation
1. Introduction
Test automation can bring many advantages to a testing project, such as faster execution and increased repeatability.
However, the ISTQB syllabus also emphasizes that test automation introduces specific risks that must be managed carefully.
테스트 자동화는 실행 속도 향상과 반복성 확보 등 많은 장점을 제공합니다.
하지만 ISTQB에서는 자동화 자체가 새로운 리스크를 만들 수 있음도 중요하게 다룹니다.
2. Practice Question
❓ Question
Which of the following is MOST likely to be a risk of test automation?
- a) The detection of additional high-severity defects
- b) Providing measures that are too complicated for humans to derive
- c) Incompatibility with the development platform
- d) Substantially reduced test execution times
✅ Correct Answer: c)
3. Explanation
✔ c) Incompatibility with the development platform — Correct
One of the most common risks of test automation is tool incompatibility.
If the automation solution is incompatible with:
- The programming language
- The frameworks used by developers
- The target platforms or environments
then automated tests may:
- Fail to interact with the test object
- Be unable to pass inputs or capture outputs
- Require excessive maintenance or rework
This can significantly reduce the value of automation or even make it unusable.
자동화 도구가 개발 플랫폼과 호환되지 않으면 테스트 대상과 정상적으로 상호작용할 수 없습니다.
이는 테스트 자동화의 대표적인 리스크입니다.
Why the other options are NOT risks
❌ a) Detection of additional high-severity defects — Not correct
Finding more serious defects is a benefit of test automation, especially when regression tests are executed frequently.
중요 결함을 더 많이 발견하는 것은 자동화의 장점입니다.
❌ b) Providing complex measures — Not correct
Automation tools can generate metrics and measurements that are difficult or impossible to calculate manually.
This is generally considered a benefit, not a risk.
복잡한 지표를 자동으로 제공하는 것은 자동화의 장점입니다.
❌ d) Substantially reduced execution times — Not correct
Reduced test execution time is one of the primary motivations for test automation.
테스트 실행 시간 단축은 자동화의 핵심 이점입니다.
4. Summary Table
| Option | Risk or Benefit? | Explanation | 구분 |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | Benefit | Improved defect detection | 장점 |
| b | Benefit | Advanced metrics | 장점 |
| c | Risk | Tool–platform incompatibility | 정답 |
| d | Benefit | Faster execution | 장점 |
5. Final Takeaway
For the ISTQB exam, remember:
Test automation introduces risks, such as incompatibility with the development platform, which can reduce or eliminate the benefits of automation if not managed properly.
시험 대비 핵심 문장입니다.
테스트 자동화의 대표적인 리스크 중 하나는 개발 플랫폼과의 호환성 문제이다.
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